So instead of reinventing the seasonal décor wheel I thought I'd share in pics how I do the same. I know some people are already firmly into January and are enjoying their clean "winter" home, but are you still sitting there with a houseful of Santas and Gingerbread houses wishing you had some motivation and a plan to get from A to B? Some people love to keep up their Christmas décor and trees till the end of January, but I've just never been one of that group. I usually can be found putting Christmas goodies away the week after Christmas. Although my dad dragged his feet till the needles from our live tree were a fire hazard and the cats had knocked off all the ornaments off the trees.
So, here we go with a few thoughts on the change up. Just having a plan helps me make decisions to get me moving.
1. Remove the obvious RED and all Christmas related items.
I know that sounds like a "duh" statement, but I've often felt sad at packing away all those cute Santas, elves, and Christmas snowmen. But no sooner did I leave them out and put boxes and tubs away, that I wished I had gone ahead and made the commitment to make a clean sweep of Christmas décor. By mid-January I'm ready to be back to normal decor. I often use red as an accent color, so I don't ditch it all. Just obvious Christmas red.
2.Remove all the real greenery and multitudes of red berries, then gather the faux greenery into groupings in boxes, baskets or vases. Take down the miscellaneous greenery, garlands, and floral picks (especially on the mantel) that are fussy and that scream Christmas. Keep out the bare greenery wreaths, and even your trees, but remove anything obvious, such as red ribbon, ornaments or accessories.
3. Bring in natural elements such as fresh evergreens, twigs, logs, pinecones, branches, winter fruit such as pears, pomegranates, etc. Pinecones make great bowl and vase fillers. Bare branches and sticks can add some texture to simple arrangements and a nature feel to your more pared down spaces. White flowers such as paperwhites, hydrangeas, and amaryllis, make a beautiful calm setting.
Paperwhites and amaryllis are a favorite faux flower to bring in the New Year and celebrate a cozy winter space.
4. Replace the traditional Christmas colors of red and green to more neutrals, earth tones, and whites. This is where I tread lightly because all white can often feel cold and clinical especially if you're going for a minimal clean look. Some people are experts, but I just end up having a house that looks like the inside of an igloo. Neutrals and lighter colors can be beautiful this time of year if you mix small patterns and vary your shades of white with warmer creams and grays.
5. Rely on fabrics for texture. Grab those wooly blankets, throws, fuzzy and furry pillows, and heavier linens. Especially if you're using neutrals, be sure and have varied and textured fabrics around. I love Scottish wool blankets and throws, but I put away the red Tartan until next year and just use other colors like the brown above and my Burberry plaid.
6. Cozy Mood Lighting and Candlelight will go a long way to warm up a room or area. Nothing like cozying up in a comfy chair with a book and lighting a candle with a warm glow to send those chilly vibes away! And be sure to keep up those twinkle lights for a warm, homey feel.
7. Choosing a new color accent for pillows and accessories works great to liven up your space and make you instantly feel optimistic and looking forward to Spring. Since I love using a woodsy, natural theme, I love to bring out my brown and black needlepoint pillows and mix browns and woodsy greens throughout my décor.
I love decorating for Christmas, but I also enjoy getting my house back to normal cozy winter décor. Right now we're having really cold temps and I'm in no man's land with boxes of Christmas décor yet to be stored in the basement. How are you all coming along? Some people are already talking Valentine's Day, but I'm still trying to get a handle on putting away Christmas...
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This is a wonderful post, Debra, and all your tips are excellent. Alas, I will never be able to get rid of the red -- my living room rug is (mostly) red! Works great for Christmas. And at least red works comfortably in terms of season up to Valentine's Day! I've started taking down the little things; two trees will stay till close to Equinox unless I get tired of them; the other down around Twelfth Night. But the creches, Santas, etc. are waiting to hauled below and tucked away. Happy New Year -- your home looks wonderful.
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